YouTube TV adding more local networks — what you need to know

Youtube TV app on Apple TV home screen
(Image credit: Future)

Just as YouTube TV takes away local networks, it also gives others. In the aftermath of sports network SNY (for Mets and Jets fans, among others) leaving the streaming TV service, we've got some good news for YouTube TV subscribers — many network TV affiliates are coming to the live TV service.

This update comes from Cord Cutter News, which reports that a deal between YouTube TV and The CW parent company Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is closer to completing, with a new round of channels coming on Friday (June 30). One of the biggest networks involved is Chicago's WGN, due to expand the list of YouTube TV channels this week.

Nexstar announced the deals — which extends the contracts for certain channels' and adds 59 more — back in March. In total, 59 new Nexstar affiliates are joining YouTube TV from this deal, including 29 The CW stations, 26 MyNetworkTV affiliates and four independent stations (serving Chicago, Washington, D.C., Oklahoma City and Baton Rouge). 

In addition to WGN and San Francisco's KRON4, many of the CW affiliates have already gone live. This week is more about the MyNetworkTV and independent affiliates.

Outlook: YouTube TV is still adjusting after a price hike

This news is likely best for those who need access to their local news, as The CW's place in the TV world is changing with the end of the Arrow-verse and August's series finale for Riverdale season 7. Now, the most prominent CW content may be LIV Golf, the golf league owned by the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund that recently partnered with the PGA.

While we think YouTube TV is one of the best cable TV alternatives, it's still emerging from the shadow of its $8 per month April price increase. That wasn't the only pockmark on its last months, as streamer glitched for many during the NBA Finals.

YouTube TV is trying to not only add channels when it can, but its big new multiview feature is still rolling out and expanding. Recently, YouTube TV upgraded this ability to watch multiple channels at once by adding non-sports options. The feature (which only Fubo offers, though it's limited to Apple TV boxes) is still in need of the ability to pick and choose which channels you watch at once, and not just sets that YouTube TV offers.

More from Tom's Guide

TOPICS
Henry T. Casey
Managing Editor (Entertainment, Streaming)

Henry is a managing editor at Tom’s Guide covering streaming media, laptops and all things Apple, reviewing devices and services for the past seven years. Prior to joining Tom's Guide, he reviewed software and hardware for TechRadar Pro, and interviewed artists for Patek Philippe International Magazine. He's also covered the wild world of professional wrestling for Cageside Seats, interviewing athletes and other industry veterans.

Read more
Youtube TV app on Apple TV home screen
YouTube TV channels and networks, cost, devices and more
Youtube TV app on Apple TV home screen
YouTube TV to keep CBS and Paramount channels — for now
YouTube TV logo on a phone
YouTube TV and Paramount strike deal to keep CBS, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and more
A graphic of a TV with its screen split by logos of YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV
YouTube TV vs. Hulu + Live TV: Which cable TV alternative wins?
YouTube TV logo on a phone
YouTube TV upgrades just teased for millions — here's what's coming
Live TV streaming service logos for Sling, YouTube TV, Hulu, Fubo, DirecTV and Philo
The best live TV streaming service in 2025: Cable TV alternatives that save you money
Latest in Streaming
Gerard Butler as Detective Nick "Big Nick" O'Brien in "Den of Thieves 2: Pantera"
Netflix top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, John Turturro and Britt Lower in Severance
Ben Stiller says 'Severance' season 3 coming 'as fast as possible'
Kevin Costner in Field of Dreams
Why I watch ‘Field of Dreams’ on baseball’s opening day every year
Michelle Buteau in Survival of the Thickest season 2
Netflix’s most underrated comedy ‘Survival of the Thickest’ is back — and I couldn’t be happier
Streaming services with a pile of cash
How to decide which streaming services to cancel
Mark Grayson (Steven Yeun) as Invincible in his blue suit during a scene from "Invincible" season 3 on Prime Video.
'Invincible' season 4 release window just announced — here's when it's coming
Latest in News
Reddit logo and Reddit logo on phone
Reddit and MLB.TV down — live updates on major outage
Nintendo Switch 2 console, Joy-Con controllers and dock
The Switch 2's mysterious "C" button may have just been confirmed by Nintendo
Nintendo Switch virtual game card
Nintendo just announced 'Virtual Game Cards' ahead of Switch 2 launch
Gerard Butler as Detective Nick "Big Nick" O'Brien in "Den of Thieves 2: Pantera"
Netflix top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
Graphic screen displaying malware detection warning
This dangerous new Windows malware hides from your antivirus while impersonating a popular PC brand
Adam Scott, Zach Cherry, John Turturro and Britt Lower in Severance
Ben Stiller says 'Severance' season 3 coming 'as fast as possible'